A Des Moines man identified as a member of the Black P Stones street gang was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Kevin Stanley Harris, Jr., age 44, received his sentence on August 27, 2025.
Court documents show that law enforcement began investigating Harris in spring 2024 after learning he was operating as a high-level fentanyl dealer in Des Moines. Authorities confirmed during a seven-month investigation that Harris traveled regularly to and from Chicago to acquire large amounts of fentanyl for redistribution. He reportedly worked with multiple co-conspirators who helped distribute the drug on a daily or near-daily basis.
Harris was arrested on December 18, 2024, when thirteen federal search warrants were executed. Law enforcement seized about 610 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture, approximately 135 grams of methamphetamine, roughly 260 grams of marijuana, nineteen firearms, and more than $13,000 in cash across various residences.
He was sentenced as a career offender under the United States Sentencing Guidelines due to an extensive criminal history that includes prior convictions for weapons possession and several drug-related offenses. This includes a previous federal conviction from the Northern District of Iowa and convictions related to cocaine and THC.
After serving his prison term, Harris will face eight years of supervised release. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal for the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing. The case involved cooperation among the Des Moines Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and United States Postal Inspection Service.
Des Moines Police Chief Michael McTaggart commented: “The Des Moines Police Department is grateful for the strong partnership with our federal agencies, whose collaboration has been essential in our ongoing efforts to protect our community from the devastating effects of the illegal distribution of fentanyl. Justice for families impacted, and the prevention of tragedies yet to happen, comes from the joint efforts of the men and women who work together to intervene in the trafficking of this deadly drug.”
Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge at the Denver Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said: “Through our joint enforcement efforts, we’ve dismantled a criminal organization that posed a direct threat to the safety and stability of various communities. This sentencing is a result of a coordinated effort of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to keep heroin and other drugs out of our communities.”
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel added: “Fentanyl is an exceptionally destructive drug that wreaks havoc on our communities. We will continue partnering aggressively with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in Iowa. The sentencing of Kevin Stanley Harris, Jr., is one important step in our continuing fight to keep fentanyl out of our neighborhoods.”
Several co-defendants are scheduled for sentencing later this year into December across multiple jurisdictions including Iowa and Illinois.
According to national health data compiled by authorities such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl has become responsible for most fatal overdoses nationwide. Overdose deaths involving fentanyl among young people aged 15-24 more than doubled between 2018 and 2022; many counterfeit pills containing lethal doses closely resemble legitimate pharmaceuticals but can be fatal even if taken once.
